IN ONE PIECE… OR IS IT, PEACE?

365 Days of Thanksliving — Day 197

It wasn’t long after I hit “post” on last night's blog that the stars began to show off in the west. Actually, I’m pretty sure the first things I saw weren't regular stars, but a planetary conjunction. Either way, the brilliance and sheer size of those heavenly bodies were astounding. Between those first two cosmic beacons and a massive shooting star—which I’m calling a meteorite, because the alternative is aliens checking up on us, and that is a spooky proposition—this grown man got completely giddy inside.

Within hours of that first sighting, my camera was rolling and I was singing God’s praises. Literally. Out loud. For all the prairie creatures to hear. I prayed, I sang, and I had full-on conversations with myself. If Sasquatch or E.T. were lurking in the tall grass, they definitely would’ve thought I’d lost my marbles. But I didn’t care; I was having a blast and entertaining the Lord.

Now, I ain’t gonna lie—it has been a hot minute since I last ventured out to capture the night sky. I wish I could say astrophotography is just like riding a bike, but good golly, I should’ve made myself a checklist. Even though I had the best intentions to leave my tripod and camera perfectly still, something in my brain wasn't clicking, and I managed to screw the whole alignment up.

Thank goodness the Milky Way processes slowly across the sky, giving me plenty of time to reframe my thoughts (and my shots). Even so, it hit me this afternoon that I missed a few critical steps. Oh well! This is all for fun anyway—a way to just praise the Creator in the wide-open landscape under His heavenly host.

By 1:30 AM, I was packed up and heading home. That drive? My oh my. In hindsight, I absolutely should’ve booked a hotel room and hit the road this morning. The darkness out there was nerve-wrackingly consuming. Have you ever noticed how headlights and shadows play tricks on your mind when it’s pitch-black and past your bedtime? Every bush looks like a monster. It was like that the whole way back.

Thank the heavens and the Lord above, He must have stationed a few angels in my passenger seat, because I made it home in one piece. Only then could I finally find some actual peace in my mind, body, and spirit.

By 4:30 AM, my head was dizzily hitting the pillow. Of course, when you have 140 pounds of canine real estate covering two-thirds of the mattress, "sleeping" means finding a tiny, contorted nook to wedge your body into. I managed to carve out a spot and gave my mind the rest it desperately needed... until 9:30 AM, when I woke up to Gus-Gus standing directly on my chest. Literally. Just standing there, licking my face.

“Get up, Dad. We’re bored,” he was saying (I think). I tried my darnedest to negotiate for a piece of the bed and a little more peace of mind, but the dogs were staging a hard veto.

Ultimately, I am so incredibly thankful for the peace of mind, heart, and soul I felt last night under that canopy of stars. I’m thankful God got me home in one piece, and I’m thankful for the deep rest He provided after that white-knuckle drive.

Tonight, I’m reminded of Jesus’ words before He willingly went to the cross on our behalf:

"My peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Don’t let your heart be troubled or fearful." — John 14:27, CSB

Being in one piece, and having true peace... is there anything better? Perhaps, but those two are definitely at the top of the list.

Well, this old boy is completely whooped. It is officially time to let my brains fall out of my head for the rest of the night.

Here are the composites from last night’s adventure. I hope you enjoy looking at them half as much as I enjoyed shooting them!

What are you thankful for today?